Dossiers Energy of the Future / L’énergie du futur Back to previous selection / Retour à la sélection précédente Russia Seeks Increased Participation in Saudi Power and Railroad Sectors 2 November 2017 EIRNS—At a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission of Russia and Saudi Arabia at Riyadh, Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak, who co-chairs the Commission, said the Russian state corporation Rosatom is interested in building nuclear infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including construction of 16 nuclear power units, Tass reported today. "Nuclear industry is an important part of our cooperation. For example, Rosatom could take part in creation of a nuclear cluster in Saudi Arabia, including the construction of 16 modern (nuclear) blocks," he added. Also, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Vasily Osmakov told Tass that Russian Railways is negotiating the construction of two railroads in Saudi Arabia. "The issue is being discussed; the tender is expected at the end of the year," he said. During Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s state visit to Russia in early October, Rosatom and the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA CARE) had signed a ’program of cooperation’ in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in Moscow. According to World Nuclear News of Oct 6, Rosatom had said they "plan to cooperate in small- and medium-sized reactors, which can be used both for power generation and desalination of sea water; in the training of personnel for Saudi Arabia’s national nuclear program; and in the development of the kingdom’s nuclear energy infrastructure." [RMA]